We manufacture injection molds and produce plastic parts daily. Every quotation we send to OEM customers breaks down cost into five components: mold tooling, material, machine time, labor and setup, and secondary operations. Understanding these components lets you compare quotations line-by-line instead of accepting a bottom-line number.
Every cost estimate we produce follows the same breakdown. Here is what we calculate before sending a quotation.
We review your 3D model and 2D drawing for mold complexity drivers: wall thickness, undercuts, draft angles, tolerance requirements, and surface finish class. Every side action, lifter, or unscrewing mechanism adds $1,000–$5,000 to the mold cost. We identify simplification opportunities before quoting.
Mold cost is calculated from: mold base size, steel grade (P20/718H/H13/S136), cavity count, CNC machining hours, EDM requirements, polishing grade (SPI A-1 to D-2), and assembly/trial time. We quote a fixed mold price — not an estimate that changes after DFM.
Part weight × material price per kg × yield factor. We confirm material availability and current pricing during RFQ. Commodity plastics (PP, PE) run $1.0–$1.8/kg. Engineering plastics (PC, PA66, POM) run $2.5–$4.5/kg. Custom colors and glass-fiber grades add 20–60%.
Cycle time (seconds) determines machine hourly cost per part. Our rates: $3–$8/hr for 90T–200T machines, $8–$20/hr for 400T–800T machines. Multi-cavity molds divide processing cost per part. Well-designed cooling channels reduce cycle time by 15–30%.
A $5,000 mold across 5,000 units adds $1.00/part. Across 100,000 units, it adds $0.05/part. This is why per-unit cost drops sharply with volume. We show mold amortization as a separate line so you can see Year 1 vs. Year 2+ cost.
A real component-by-component breakdown for a medium ABS enclosure (120g, 10,000 units/year).
| Cost Component | Calculation | Cost Per Part (Year 1) | % of Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mold Amortization | $5,000 mold ÷ 10,000 units | $0.50 | 33% |
| Material | 120g ABS @ $2.00/kg | $0.24 | 16% |
| Machine Processing | $6/hr, 45-sec cycle, single cavity | $0.075 | 5% |
| Labor + Setup | $100 setup ÷ 10,000 + $0.02 labor | $0.03 | 2% |
| Secondary Ops | Degating only | $0.02 | 1% |
| Packaging + Logistics | Sea freight estimate | $0.15 | 10% |
| Total (Year 1) | $1.015 | ||
| Total (Year 2+) | Mold already amortized | $0.515 |
| Annual Volume | Mold Cost/Part | Total Cost/Part (Year 1) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 units | $5.00 | $5.52 |
| 5,000 units | $1.00 | $1.52 |
| 10,000 units | $0.50 | $1.02 |
| 50,000 units | $0.10 | $0.62 |
| 100,000 units | $0.05 | $0.57 |
Mold making and molding in one facility eliminates transport cost and duplicate inspection
Wide tonnage range lets us match machine size to part — no oversized-machine cost penalty
Mold cost controlled by our engineers, not an external shop's pricing
Mold price is confirmed after DFM review and does not change during manufacturing
Send your 3D drawing. We deliver a line-by-line cost estimate — mold, material, processing, and logistics — within 24 hours.
45 injection machines 90T–800T, 20 CNC centers, CMM and inspection equipment — the tools behind every cost estimate.
Per-unit part cost from 45 machines at 90T–800T. Material selection, DFM review, and production quotation included.
Fixed mold pricing with transparent breakdown: steel grade, cavity count, machining hours, and trial. No hidden change orders.
Send your CAD file (STEP/IGES) with material, quantity, and surface finish requirements. Our engineers will deliver a complete line-by-line cost estimate within 24 hours.